Category Archives: Application

The PCO License renewal process is simple. The PCO License is valid for a period of 3 years, and every 3 years you will have to get it renewed in order to carry on working as a licensed private hire driver in London. Luckily Transport for London, who run the Public Carriage Officer (PCO), will send you your renewal forms before your current license expires. So all you need to do is remember to send them back.

Don’t leave it too late to renew your PCO license

It can take many weeks for PCO licence renewals to be processed. Don’t leave it too late otherwise your license may expire and you won’t be able to work. Coupled with this your insurance policy will be invalid too.

If you overlook the renewal of your licence make sure you don’t re-apply too late. If more than 3 months has lapsed from your licence expiry date before your renewal application will be refused. In such a case you will be treated as a completely new applicant meaning you will have to go through the entire application process from the start.

What do I need?

As part of the renewal process, it is important that you follow these guidelines:

Read through thoroughly and sign the declarations

Send your renewal application form in before the expiration of your current PCO-licence

Remember to send both the Licence Fee and the Application Fee with your completed form

A new DBS (CRB) check is required (as they only have a validity of 3 months)

A new Medical Check is also required

The appropriate renewal payment

If you are required to send a medical form or a DBS form then these will be automatically included in your renewal application pack. If you wish to get your Medical Check done asap please call us on 020 3780 1055 and we’ll get you booked and seen asap.

Any Questions?

If you’ve got any questions regarding your renewal then please feel free to contact the PCO and Transport for London on:

What will I get sent in the PCO License application pack?

If you request a PCO Licence Application Pack, once it arrives you will find the following:

Envelope – This is to send your forms back but also has a handy checklist on the back make sure you’ve included all the right forms before you pop them in the post.

PHV/203– This is the actual application form.

PHV/204 – This is the Medical Declaration form which needs to be initially completed by you and then completed and stamped by a GP when you have your medical check. Please see our Packages page for further info. We have TfL approved GP’s and can get your PCO Medical Check + Eye Test done on-sight.

Topographical Test Information Sheet– This details what you need to do for your topographical test.

Post Office ‘Check and Send’ Service – If you’re sending your application from a post office in the Greater London Area then you can pay £7.50 at the desk and they will check over your application. PLEASE NOTE: The Post Office do not work for TfL and do not know all the Licensing rules/requirements . This can result in processing delays. However, if you wish to Fast Track your application and make sure it’s 100% correct please give us a call on 020 3780 1055. We can get you licensed within 3 to 6 weeks.

DBS Disclosure Form – This must be completed and will detail any criminal convictions you may have which could affect your application for the PCO License. You can make a paper application or make the application partly online and partly at the Post Office. Once again, we provide full support and assistance in this area too. Just call and ask for our Platinum Package.

How long does it take to get my PCO License?

If you have sent your PCO License application to TfL remember, it can take up to 16 weeks for it to be processed and it’s worth noting that renewal applications are always processed before the existing license expires so there is no definite timescale to how long it takes. Just make sure that you’ve completed the forms as best as you can so that there are no hold-ups just because you didn’t fill in part of a form. Other delays can be put down to the wait for your DBS Check as it’s not only minicab drivers who need to be checked, but teachers, nurses, etc.

Where are my PCO License application forms? Where is my license?

If you have waited 10 working days and still not received your PCO License application forms or if you sent your completed forms off months ago and want to keep track and know how your License application is proceeding then please contact Transport for London using the details below:

If you opted for our Platinum Package, we take care of everything. Just give us a call on 020 8214 1055 and we’ll update you.

What happens if my PCO License application is refused?

If you have met all the PCO licensing requirements, and completed your application form correctly, you will hopefully soon be the recipient of your PCO license, but if this is not the case and your application is refused then you will be informed of this in writing by Transport for London (TfL) and the letter will include:

Confirmation that your license application has been refused.

The reason for the refusal.

Your right to appeal the decision which includes what you need to do to appeal and the time in which you have to do it.

You may simply have filled in your application form incorrectly but it could also be something more serious like something showing up on your DBS Check. Read through the reason(s) for the refusal and if you think you think this is the wrong decision then make sure you use your right of appeal, and make sure you do this as soon as possible.

All applicants coming though our doors will be fully advised prior to submitting their application if they are likely to get a PCO Licence or not. Speak To London’s Experts!

Refund of license application fees

If the refusal is upheld then you will only get a refund for the portion of your fee relating the to the ‘grant of license’ which is £100 of the total £250 as the application fee and the DBS fees are non-refundable.

Want to know more?

All the information you need to complete your PCO license application is on this website so please explore the rest of the site using the menu at the top of this page. Alternatively, pick up the phone and give us a call 020 3780 1055